Halesworth - The Cut

Back at the Bicycle Shop to pick up our trusty bikes in good time.    First appointment was to visit the Big C drop in centre at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital on the south west side of the city.  The big bike was not playing the game needed the attention of the rider.   Some fiddling and screw turning and we set off out of the city centre.  We arrived at Big C a couple of minutes after 10.30.  A great welcome at the centre from Diane and all the staff there.    Also there to welcome us were Naomi. Lisa and the Grandchildren; Ruby June, Elsie and Jude.   It was so good to see them after so many weeks.  We were invited into the centre which was busy with patients and families.  We gathered in the private garden area  and were joined by  three well behaved little ones!  No running around here.  Richard played his guitar  in the garden and the peaceful music drifted on the air into the building.    Time for some pictures and chatting.  I went off with Naomi and family to seek out a rewarding and distracting  ice cream for them. RD had a tour around the centre with Jill,  the manager.    Richard was moved by all  the work being carried out by Big C.  Currently there are 1,000 patients per month accessing the resources of this vital charity.    It made the miles, the hills, the weather, the breakdowns, the heat and the rain seem so worthwhile.     No time to waste we hit the trail at 12.30 and headed back through the city to pick up the road to Bungay and on to Halesworth.     The artiste was complaining about his bike.  Sluggish and holding up progress.  Was it  bike or the biker?  We attempted to locate a convenient shop to check things out.   Nothing on our route.    Fairly quiet road out to Bungay.  Weather set fair.  At Bungay we visited MC Cycles where I had purchased my Schwinn bicycle two years ago after having to leave the Norco in St. Bonnet in the Auvergne  after my ride from England.    The proprietor looked carefully at the bike after some pleading from the  suffering cyclist.    A little tweaking of the brakes and checking of the freewheeling and things seemed to feel better.   Pulling that much weight on a bike and any lose of performance and it drags down the average speed considerably.    After a delightful light snack at the  Jester's Cafe near the Castle we commenced the last leg of the days journey.   We opted to risk the main road through to Halesworth and apart from a couple of large lorries it was relatively peaceful and we were in good time when we arrived at The Cut Arts Centre.   The Maestro's  bike had behaved and no complaints from the jockey!  Located in an old warehouse building it has a large purpose built performance area and a grand foyer and cafe.     The gig had been well advertised but we were up against the opening of the World Cup.  No contest!    With a large stage to play with tonight the artiste decided, in his wisdom, to change the presentation of the show. All looked well after the new set up.  Dropped a clanger myself and therefore lost a few lighting manager points by leaving our front bike spot  light at the last venue. This is the most important spot  of all as it lights the face of the artiste in performance.   I make no excuses it was a mistake on pack up.  So nice we are still not assigning blame for errors made whilst on tour. Not a sell out but a warm and welcoming reception from a new audience.  This was the first appearance by concert guitarist Richard in this market town. Hopefully the first of many.  I think we behaved ourselves.  No black marks apart from my own.    Our great friend John Rigden came to the show and had volunteered to drive us home post performance.  Sadly Anne was not well and was much missed. It would therefore be men behaving badly later.     It was a pleasant surprise to see  Pippa from school at the performance along with her Sister and Mother.  She has kindly been holding the fort for me on my extended skive.   One or two familiar faces attended including Stuart, a fellow cyclist, from Aslockton near Nottingham who had finally managed to catch us up!  He had enjoyed the show so much in Aslockton he had to ride to see  another.  Now that is way beyond the call of duty.   He will be joining us on our ride to Ipswich tomorrow.    Pack up was a little tardy as the guitarist was checking out some handmade guitars brought in by a former pupil of his.   We eventually got packed away and left for home shortly after 10.30     A fine moonlit summer drive home.      A light snack and debrief before bed.   A busy and long distance weekend awaits.  Brighton by Sunday!!!   We could be breaking a few tour records.  Total mileage. 1207 and plenty to go.